Special day for Kilmac group

A total of 45 devoted parishioners from St Mochanog’s church in Kilmacanogue were among those to travel to the Phoenix Park last Sunday, for Mass celebrated by His Holiness Pope Francis.

People of all ages joined for the pilgrimage to the Dublin park, almost 40 years since Pope John Paul II said Mass at the same place.

‘ The day was really lovely,’ said Celia Flynn, one of the organisers. She said that everyone who went had really wanted to go, and really enjoyed the experience.

‘It was a little like a pilgrimage with so much walking involved, but we didn’t mind,’ said Celia. She said that a great number of children joined them in the day, including two who had made their communion this year. She added that Phil Kenna in Enniskerry had helped to organise the bus for Enniskerry and Kilmacanogue, along with Fr Larry Behan of St Fergal’s parish in Bray. The groups remained together for the day.

Celia said that the Mass was lovely, and very special and memorable for people of faith.

‘We had quite a good spot. We could see the altar. Pope Francis spoke really well on current affairs.

‘He used Gaeilge and he spoke in Italian.’ Whle the Mass took almost two hours, the group members did not feel like it was all that long.